The Middle Ages
The Power of the Church
1.
Christianity in the early Middle Ages
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
By 600, Christianity had spread to many Germanic peoples
Missionaries risked their lives to spread Christianity
Attacks by Muslims spurred people to convert to Christianity
The Christian Church became more secular, or worldly---> Involved in politics
Pope Gregory I used church revenues to raise armies, repair roads, and help
the poor
The Power of the Church
2.
Monasteries
a. Religious communities for men. Men were called monks
b. Gave up possessions and devoted a life to serving God
c. Women, or nuns, lived in convents
d.
St. Benedict wrote a book setting a practical set of rules for monasteries
e. Best place for an education
The Power of the Church
3.
Far-Reaching Authority of the Church
a.
The Church sought to influence spiritual and political matters when it crowned
Charlemagne Roman Emperor in 800
b.
Pope Gelasius I suggested that God had created two swords:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
One sword was religious ----> held by pope
One sword was political ----> held by the emperor
Pope bows to emperor in political matters
Emperor bows to pope in spiritual matters
If each kept authority in own realm, the two could live in harmony
The Power of the Church
c. Structure of the Church
iii.
Different ranks of clergy, or religious officials
Pope was head of Church
All clergy, including bishops and priests fell under pope’s authority
iv.
For most people, local priests served as the main contact with the Church
i.
ii.
The Power of the Church
d. Religion as a Unifying Force
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Feudalism created division but Church teachings bonded them together
Provided people with a sense of security and of belonging to a religious
community
Priests and other clergy administered sacraments (religious ceremonies)
All were subject to canon law, or Church Law
This included matters such as marriage or religious practices because
the Church was both religious and political
The Power of the Church
4.
The Emperor Clashes with the Pope
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
When Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor in 800, he unknowingly
set up future conflict
Otto the Great crowned king of the Holy Roman Empire in 936
Church unhappy with Otto’s use of lay investiture, ceremony where kings
and nobles appointed church officials
Popes would threaten with excommunication, or banishment from the Church
Future kings would attempt to exert power over the papacy (pope)
These attempts would weaken German provinces in Europe and weaken royal
authority